Mother of seven finds time to train, raise funds for her 7th Boston Marathon

Tuesday

Mar 24, 2009 at 12:01 AMMar 24, 2009 at 4:47 AM

Over nine years, Mae Connolly has skipped only the 2002 and 2003 marathons, when she was pregnant and gave birth to her seventh child, Jake, and in 2006, when she said she felt lazy.

Jody Feinberg

Mae Connolly, marathon runner and Weymouth mother of seven, is used to the question, "How do you do it?''

Training to run her seventh Boston Marathon, Connolly, 46, shrugs off the "how'' and prefers to talk about the "why.'' That’s especially true this year because she is running to raise money for the organization Bottom Line, which helps disadvantaged Boston and Worcester students apply to and complete college.

"I run because I love it and it gives me mental health, but those are selfish reasons,'' she said. "Raising money for Bottom Line is a way for me to use my passion to help others.''

Connolly was thrilled to be selected for the 20-member Team Go Far, which had more than 100 applicants.

"Mae stood out because of her experience as a mother and runner and because she understood the power of what we do and was excited to raise money for us,'' said Mike Wasserman, director of development for Bottom Line.

But the acceptance comes with the obligation to pledge $3,000, which she must raise from others or give herself. As of Monday, she had $2,216 from 41 donors, raised through appeal letters and word of mouth.

"When he called to say I was accepted, I was so excited,'' she said. "It’s a huge commitment, but it’s doable for me.

Connolly, 46, became a runner accidentally. After her sixth child, Brendan, was born in 1998, Connolly speed-walked 2 1/2 miles a day for exercise. One day, she needed to get home in a hurry, so she ran part way. It felt good, and the next time she ran all the way. Soon, a daily run replaced the speed walk and she competed in road races. When her brother, Peter Cullivan of Weymouth, encouraged her to run the Boston Marathon with him in 2000, she hesitated.

"At first, I thought that was impossible and I’d need three days in bed to recover,'' said Connolly, who was a three-sport athlete at Weymouth North High but never a runner. "But I was getting confident running, and my competitive spirit said that would be a good challenge to take on.''

While her five older children were in school, she trained, pushing a double stroller holding Brendan and the child she cared for during the day.

That first marathon remains her favorite. An enormous accomplishment, it was fueled in part by Connolly’s desire to help the family of a friend who had just died suddenly, leaving behind six young children and a husband.

"I’ll never forget that marathon,'' said Connolly, who ran it in four hours. "I had wings. I was above the pavement. I thought, ‘Oh, my God, I know why I’m running,’ and I felt like she moved me right through it.''

Over nine years, Connolly has skipped only the 2002 and 2003 marathons, when she was pregnant and gave birth to her seventh child, Jake, and in 2006, when she said she felt lazy. Incredibly, she’s been injury-free, although recently she’s had trouble with her hamstring.

Running this year for Bottom Line, Connolly is moved by the students. At Team Go Far meetings in the Jamaica Plain office, the students have talked to her about the ways the organization helps them succeed as the first in their families to attend college. Having gone through the college application process with four of her children, Connolly knows that it can be complicated and stressful even for students whose parents assist them.

"It’s something I can relate to,'' said Connolly, who has a degree in early childhood education from Quincy College. "My kids are blessed to have guidance at home, but there are others who are at a disadvantage, through no fault of their own.''

"Mae stood out because she understood the power of what we do and was excited to raise money for us,'' said Mike Wasserman, director of development for Bottom Line.

To train, Connolly squeezes in a 3- to 5-mile run in the 45 minutes between arriving home from her aide job at Johnson Pre-School and meeting Jake’s school bus. On weekends, she does the tough training, building up to three-hour runs of 18 miles. If the weather is bad, she runs on a treadmill in her basement.

Jack Connolly, her high school sweetheart whom she married after college, keeps the household going while she runs. The bakery manager at Stop & Shop in Dorchester and a longtime Little League coach, his support is crucial.

"I would not be able to do it without him,'' she said. "When he knows I have to get a run in, he says, ‘Go ahead, do what you have to do.’''

While she runs, she listens to Christian rock and often thinks about her seven kids – two college graduates, one college student, two high school students, a middle schooler and an elementary school student. Five still live at home in their Cape-style house, where her marathon medals hang in the kitchen.

"I go through the kids and think ‘how are they doing and what do I need to do?'' she said. "Hopefully, when I get home, I remember, because I can come up with some awesome ideas.''
Recently, she’s been thinking about what college would be a good fit for Carolyn, a senior at Weymouth High whose running has attracted attention from coaches.

In fact, the Connollys are a family of runners, and the couple devotes hours to watching their children compete at the varsity and national levels.

Kelly, 23, ran cross country and Amy, 22, ran track, both at Bridgewater State. John, 21, runs cross country at Westfield State, and Carolyn, 18, known as Cuda, is a Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic and captain of the cross country and winter and spring track teams. Steven, 15, will be captain of the cross country team in the fall and is a varsity wrestler.

"Kelly and I started running at the same time when she was in eighth grade and they all followed suit,'' said Connolly, who also has coached her children’s soccer teams and is president of the Weymouth High Boosters Club for cross country and track.

The pride runs both ways.

"She’s awesome. I really feel proud of her,'' said Steven, who will join his siblings and father to cheer Connolly at mile 17 as she reaches the toughest part of the race, Heartbreak Hill.

"I’ll be so glad to see them,'' said Connolly, who will stop briefly for a kiss, photos and maybe dry socks and oranges. Then, the family will wait for her at the finish line on Boylston Street.

Connolly expects to complete the marathon in 41/2 to 4 3/4 hours, but she doesn’t care much about her time.

"I don’t race the marathon, I run it,'' she said.

Even after so many marathons, she still gets inspired by the spectators who line the route.

"After childbirth, the Boston Marathon is the most amazing experience because of the people who watch it,'' she said. "From Hopkinton to the finish line, there are people yelling, ‘Go, Mae!’
She recalled the year when the temperature was 86 degrees.

"It was brutal and I was thinking about walking at mile 22 when I went by this man who was yelling, ‘Mae, you can do it!’ I didn’t know who he was, but I committed to him and I kept running.''

After the race on April 20, Connolly expects to take a long, hot bath and eat a take-out pasta dinner with her family. The next day, she’ll get up as usual at 6 a.m. and enjoy school vacation.
"I don’t miss a beat,'' she said. "It’s a great week.''

To make a donation for Connolly, go to www.firstgiving.com/maeconnolly. To learn about Bottom Line, go to www.bottomline.org.